Genetic diversity within and among nine Andropogon gerardii (Big Bluestem) populations from various physiographic regions of North and South Carolina was assessed. Genetic diversity was high at both the species level and at the population level. At the species level, percent polymorphic loci (P) was 96.4% (27 of 28 loci), the number of alleles per polymorphic locus (AP) was 4.07, and genetic diversity (He) was 0.425. Mean within population values were P= 82.6%, AP = 2.68, and He = 0.351. Within population genetic diversity (He) ranged from 0.190 to 0.466. Allelic richness values per population ranged from 37 to 71. The proportion of genetic diversity among populations (Gst) was 0.166. Mean genetic diversity for the 3 larger populations (He = 0.369) and within the 6 smaller populations (He = 0.341) did not differ significantly (P = 0.554). Nei's unbiased genetic identity between pairs of populations ranged from 0.652 to 0.975. Mean genetic identity of individual populations with the 8 other populations ranged from 0.71 to 0.89. A Mantel test showed no significant genetic isolation by geographic distance (r = 0.065; P = 0.614). While banding patterns for most of the loci were consistent with disomic inheritance, two loci (PGI3; UGPP1) displayed patterns consistent with tetrasomic inheritance. Results of this study suggest that Big Bluestem populations in the Carolinas were once more widespread.

Andropogon gerardii (Big Bluestem) is a dominant grass of the North American tallgrass prairie. It is also found in remnant populations in the eastern United States, including North and South Carolina, often in association with other species with prairie affinities. We characterized eight A. gerardii population sites across various physiographic regions of North and South Carolina. A total of 362 quadrats (1 m x 1 m) were sampled during the 2006-2008 growing seasons for species occurrence and site and quadrat frequency. Associated species were assigned a commonness index (CI). A Sorensen's Community Coefficient was used to determine floristic similarities among the sites. In addition, soil samples in three quadrats were sampled at each site at three depths (0-10 cm, 11-20 cm, and 21-30 cm) and analyzed for pH; organic C and N contents; extractable P. K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Mn; and CEC (cation exchange capacity). A total of 306 vascular plant species was identified comprising 64 families, including 99 (32%) graminoids. There were 61(20%) Poaceae and 63 (20%) Asteraceae. Species per quadrat ranged from 1 to 13 with a mean of 5. Andropogon gerardii had the highest CI value (5900), followed by Rubus spp. (1260). Community Coefficient values were < 0.5 for all pairings between sites, indicating high divergence in species composition among even nearby sites. There were 14 rare or watch-listed species identified, including the federal endangered Helianthus schweinitzii at Troy Prairie. A total of 153(50%) of the species had been previously described as occurring in prairie-like associations. Soil pH values varied from 4.8 to 6.9 among the sites and depths. Ca and Mg nutrient values were also highly variable. Andropogon gerardii was found at high frequencies across all sites, indicating its broad tolerance for a variety of edaphic conditions.

Piedmont prairie communities of the southeastern United States were common prior to European settlement. Suther Prairie in Cabarrus County, North Carolina is among the best-known examples of such an ecosystem. This study provides a complete floristic list of species observed at the site from 1997-2007. Sampling over the 10 yr period included fixed transects and general floristic inventories. During the 2006-07 growing seasons, additional transects and 90 randomly placed 1 m(2) quadrats were established for sampling species frequency. Soil in six of these random quadrats was sampled at three depths (0-10 cm, 11-20 cm, 21-30 cm) for pH, organic C, total N, and extractable P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Mn, Cu, B, and Na.There were 208 species documented during the 10 yr sampling period. In 2006-07 142 new species were identified, but 49 previously documented species were not re-located. Of the 208 species, 66 were graminoids (36 grasses and 30 sedges/rushes). Ninety of these had previously been reported from prairie habitats. Obligate or facultative wetland species comprised 32% of the list. Thirteen species were rare, watch-listed, or uncommon for North Carolina. Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) and Eastern Gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides var. dactyloides) had the highest frequency of occurrence during the 2006-07 sampling. Species richness was 6.8 species per m2. Levels of Ca and Mg were much higher than normal for Piedmont soils, and there was significant variation in soil C, N, P and Zn levels among the sampled depths.

TOMPKINS, R. D. (Department of Biology, Belmont Abbey College, Belmont, NC 28012), W. C. STRINGER (Department of Entomology, Soils, and Plant Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634), K. RICHARDSON (Department of Biology, Belmont Abbey College, Belmont, NC 28012), E. A. MIKHAILOVA (Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634), AND W. C. BRIDGES, JR. (Department of Applied Economics and Statistics, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634). A newly documented and significant Piedmont prairie site with a Helianthus schweinitzii Torrey & A.Gray (Schweinitz's sunflower) population. J. Torrey Bot. Soc. 137: 120-129. 2010.-This study documented and described a recently located (2003) and significant Piedmont prairie site (Troy Prairie) from Montgomery County, NC. From 2006-08 a complete floristic inventory was conducted. In addition, 75 quadrats (1 x 1 m) were sampled for species frequency, and 12 quadrats were sampled at 3 depths (0-10 cm, 11-20 cm, 21-30 cm) for soil chemistry to determine pH, and extractable P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, and Mn. A total of 163 vascular plant species were identified, including 62 monocots, 97 dicots, three ferns, and one lycopsid. There were 57 (35%) graminoids and 39 (24%) Asteraceae. Of the Asteraceae, Helianthus schweinitzii (Schweinitz's sunflower) is Federally endangered, while Solidago gracillima and S. radula are both rare-listed for NC. Only five individuals of H, schweinitzii were found in this study of an estimated 100 in 2003. Eighty-seven (53%) species had previously been reported as occurring in prairie-like associations. Andropogon gerardii and Rubus sp. had the highest frequency at 48%. Troy Prairie is one of only three known A. gerardii populations in North or South Carolina > 0.5 ha. The site contains upland to hydric conditions, and 42 (26%) of the species listed were obligate to facultative wetland. The mean soil pH was very strongly acidic (4.9). Phosphorus, K, and Ca levels were low for all three sampled depths for both upland and hydric sections, while there were medium levels of Mg. A portion of the site is under current consideration for a highway improvement project.

Changing land use from forested environments to agricultural and/or urban spaces dramatically alters soil chemical, physical, and biological properties and thereby influences the survivability of landscape plants installed in these areas. This site analysis was conducted along New Hope Road, in Pickens County, SC, to develop a sustainable landscape design for the greenway corridor to buffer future cuttings of pines and offer a variety of recreational and educational opportunities for the community. Using a “design with nature” framework, an interdisciplinary team collaborated on a thorough observation and analysis of the inherent qualities of the site, historical documents and aerial photographs to describe the land use history of the site. The dominant soil series found on the site were Cecil clay loam, Cecil sandy loam, and Pacolet clay loam. Surface soil chemistry tests were conducted to examine soil and buffer pH; organic carbon and nitrogen contents; nitrate–nitrogen; extractable phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, manganese, copper, boron, and sodium; lime requirements and recommendations; cation exchange capacity; acidity; and percent base saturation. Analysis of site history, aerial photographs, and soil testing revealed that a history of intensive agricultural land use and managed forestry on the site has noticeably altered the soil quality. Severe soil erosion and compaction brought about by a combination of anthropogenic and natural causes have left much of the site with infertile soils lacking a true topsoil layer and characterized by low pH. These qualities present numerous challenges when attempting to modify and install vegetation. Based on historical land use, soil analysis, and plant species characteristics, a final landscape design was created that addressed the environmental opportunities, constraints of the site and provided site- and plant-specific fertilizer recommendations for successful establishment and maintenance of this greenway corridor.